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Soundcloud: The Potter of Puerto Marques
Youtube: The Potter of Puerto Marques
I wrote this song in December 2023 and recorded January 2024. It is the result of a songwriting challenge to write a song in 3:4 (waltz) time. I recall searching Band-In-A-Box styles in 3:4 to give me an idea to work with, and came across _NAYARIT.STY Nayarit Mariachi Waltz, then plugged in a few chords after being inspired by the style. I was immediately taken by the trumpets, leading me to write the chord progression and the intro melody, which also became the verse melody. As I often do, I wanted the song to 'jump' to something fresh for the chorus and ended up moving from Aminor in the verse to C major in the chorus. I replaced the bass and guitars with my own work, but drums and trumpets are from BIAB. It was around this time I recall seeing a songwriting video about memorable melodies having larger interval jumps, so I tried to get a lot of movement in the melody - more so than usual.

I considered adding an acoustic guitar lead to it, but decided after a few recording attempts that I was falling into too trodden paths and should let the trumpets do the talking.

Band-in-a-Box info
Soloist is saved with the song : Even 8ths (Bosa/Rock)Trumpet (9)
Style is _NAYARIT.STY (Nayarit Mariachi Waltz w Trumpet)
MelodyCustom Synth is 057 - Trumpet, FortePiano, Oberkrainer [SN0323]
SoloistCustom Synth is 057 - Trumpet, FortePiano, Oberkrainer [SN0323]
RealTracks in style: 2823:Guitarron, MariachiWaltz Ev 150 - replaced with my own bass playing a very similar style
RealTracks in song: 2572:Trumpet, Background MelodicOldWorldWaltz Ev 180 (1TrackHornSection)
RealTracks in style: 2821:Guitar, Nylon, Rhythm MariachiWaltz Ev 150 - replaced with my acoustic and jazz electric doing a similar pattern
RealTracks in style: 2822:Vihuela, Rhythm MariachiWaltz Ev 150
RealDrums in style:PopWaltzEven8^7-a,b:Brushes, Sidestick

Lyrics
The BIAB style sounded Mexican, so I looked for a city in Mexico in Google Maps and came across Puerto Marqués just 10 km south of Acapulco. A quick Wikipedia search to give me something more to work with revealed that Puerto Marqués is known for its pottery, so the idea 'The Potter of Puerto Marqués' came straight away, along with the idea that the subject person was a 'potter of the mind' with unwholesome motives. A week later with the lyrics 75% completed, I decided they needed a more sinister turn, and that's where I ended up using the kidney trope.

INTRO

VERSE 1
To your unwitting struggles your life is beholden
Please visit the Potter of Puerto Marqués

VERSE 2
His words of encouragement will uplift and embolden
After visiting the Potter of Puerto Marqués

CHORUS
He’ll make you much wiser and see things more clearly
You’ll wisen to the problems obscuring your way
Emotions once hidden will be spoken more freely
Shaped to a new thing like soft lump of clay

INSTRUMENTAL INTERLUDE

VERSE 3
When the school of hard luck is the course you’re enrolled in
Seek tutelage from the Potter of Puerto Marqués

VERSE 4
He’ll mould you to a vessel in the shape he is holding
By the hands of the Potter of Puerto Marqués

CHORUS
He’ll make you much wiser after lightening your pocket
You’ll wisen up too late that he’s pocketed your gold
His words – they will soothe you, beguile and diffuse you
Realising too late all your possessions he’s sold

VERSE 5
The mesmerising gaze is both charming and hypnotic
Attracted by the Potter of Puerto Marqués

VERSE 6
Saying the words that will numb like a narcotic
Given by the Potter of Puerto Marqués

CHORUS
Some have awoken after unexpected slumber
Wondering why they are lying in a bath
In a hotel room found way out in the country
With a warning note positioned close to the scar

OUTRO

Andrew, fascinating workflow on this one. Like the rancheras feel under your more modern chord changes and lyrics. Very nicely played and sung. I'd say without a doubt you expertly met the songwriting challenge.

Nice bit of BiaB/PGM positive pottering all around.

Andrew, a fantastic waltz type song.
Super use of the horns
Super mix

Andrew,

That is an excellent song. Great vocal, tracks selection and mix.

Very nicely done.

Bob

Excellent idea and word paintings.
Your voice seems to be straining at the end of its range though it has echoes of Eno on Here Come the Warm Jets.
The dark turn is ace.
Something told me this'd sound even better slower so the syllables could be comfy.
Enjoyable stuff.

Well spotted Ray - I definitely was! The up and down movement of the melody made it difficult to fit in my limited vocal range. Maybe I should say my vocal is illustrating the stress implied in the lyric?
Andrew

Hey Andrew, this tells an interesting story and has a carousel kind of feel to it...round and round as well as up and down. INHO, I kinda feel like it needs something more to break that monotony, but I don't know what. I enjoy that it brought to light how it would sound if a mariachi band played "For the Benefit of Mr. Kite".

Andrew,
Such a cool tune! Lyrics and vocal performance are very imaginative and thought provoking. Unique delivery. Enjoyed my listen & thank you for sharing.
Misha.

Hi Andrew,

We hear a lot songs in 3/4 time on the forum. So, this was a real nice treat. You' re right - the horns carry the load quite nicely.

Love the unexpected chord changes. But I've come to anticipate and enjoy that with your music. Very nicely done! Enjoyed it very much. And I know all about limited vocal range. On a good day, I can hit a full octave.

Nice!

Alan

Thank you for your very kind and generous encouragement. A full octave?! Count your blessings! Us with limited vocal range and ability have a constant challenge to authentically express the ideas in our heads while giving it a personal touch. I haven’t strayed near AI vocals yet, but there may come a day.

Yeah I’ll take that feedback. I recall being on a roll with the lyrics and toyed with the idea of an instrumental break but feared it would make the song too long. 3/4 time signature can tend to dictate a style that 4/4 doesn’t suffer the same limitations. Your reference to Mr Kite - Sgt Peppers album was a well spun fav of mine in my younger years. I taught myself guitar by following the chord charts to Sgt Peppers and Magical Mystery Tour albums, almost learning every major and minor chromatic chord in the process. Of course, Henry the horse dances the waltz!

Andrew, I applauded you for stretching out into uncomfortable territory! That’s what refining our craft really needs! My only constructive comment is to echo what Ray said— I think a bit a slower would be better..lots of syllables and words. Thanks for sharing your “challenge project”!

3/4 waltz. Challenge accepted so well by you, Andrew. Man, this is so good. First of all, I love the title and your creativie ability to craft such gem. Man, I love the arrangement and such a good job on those horns. You captured the style so well. Good work on the bass too.

Very cool song Andrew. Vocal was excellent and really cool backtrack. I got a little Beatles vibe in the cadence and vocal. Well done

Very creative - for me, it felt like the later esoteric stuff the Beatles did. Not sure others will agree. I'm very impressed with the sourcing for your creativity. It's nice when artists explain their works, you don't always get that. Great job, worth multiple listens.

Thanks Rob - I did spend a lot of time in past years from Rubber Soul to Abbey Road. I taught myself how to play guitar by learning all the songs in the Sgt Peppers and Magical Mystery albums through a leadsheet and chord book I bought - almost every chromatic major and minor key in those two albums.
Andrew D

A waltz and a mariachi band, a combination I wish to hear more on this forum - you have made it so inviting An interesting story creating a feeling of intoxication while watching clay being moulded. Your voice fits perfectly with the hypnotic rhythm, somehow reminding me of The Pogues. Very unique melody in an original sounding song, very creative use of BIAB instruments.

Janne

Thank you Janne! It was a song that came relatively quickly and thus a pleasure to write - not a normal thing for me - it's usually a hard slog to finish a song. This was also a song where the BIAB style helped inform the chord progression and melody, so I suspect I will find it difficult to create a new song in the same style because I won't be able to 'un-hear' this song.
Andrew D